University of Waterloo - Harnessing the Power of Alpaca Poo

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/university-of-waterloo-harnessing-the-power-of-alpaca-poop-1.7136917

The University of Waterloo is trying to create an unusual type of compost.

“Alpacas have this unique digestive system that when they digest the food, by the time the manure comes out is kind of more stable compared to other manure," Augustine Osei, a post-doctoral fellow in the Faculty of Environment at University of Waterloo said.

Osei is trying to combine alpaca manure and fibre to make a nutrient rich compost.

"Bringing in the fibre is going to help in terms of retaining moisture as well as improving the physical nature or the physical feel of the compost so that you can help a very good aerobic system in," Osei said.

The idea all started when an alpaca farmer in Flamborough was trying to find a use for the leftover hair, known as waste fiber, that doesn't have the quality needed for clothing.

"Alpaca waste fiber is a real issue and there are so many farms that are just throwing it out. This project will allow us to have a byproduct for alpaca waste,” Frances Stewart, the owner of Maple Ridge Acres said.

Stewart typically sells the manure or burns it.

"The bag of poop without the fiber in it that I have is Alpaca Gold," Stewart said.

Stewart also throws out the fiber waste from her 14 alpacas. She wanted a better use for it and contacted the university for help. She’s now sent a few pounds of fibre and excrement for the experiment.

"[Alpacas] are communal pooers, so they actually will poo in the same pile. They all go to the same location, which makes it very easy to clean and pick up," Stewart said.